Author Topic: Mini Mill collet set.  (Read 8887 times)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Mini Mill collet set.
« on: February 22, 2009, 06:08:08 AM »
Well, the Chester Mini Mill is now up on the bench, ready for external degreasing & internal lubrication.

Time to think of a suitable collet set.......

I was well up with Nikken 50 Int toolholders, in a previous life, but tiny tooling is alien to me.

Do I buy this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290210387401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019

The price of his one rather takes my fancy.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360042942968&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=023

This one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170303584929&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

Or really push the boat out, with lots of collet sizes?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360078925666&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=023

Or, are they all rubbish & I should buy something else?  ::)

All suggestions will be considered.......  :thumbup:

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Darren

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2009, 06:36:15 AM »
Not rubbish at all, I really like mine and make good use of it now. Very well made.

But, try to get as many collect sizes as you can, I think mine had 18 or 19 in the set from HK.
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

bogstandard

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2009, 07:46:23 AM »
David,

Definitely forget the first two, they use a non standard chinese collet.

As Darren mentions, if you can get the full set at this time, it will save running round like a headless chicken trying to get another one for the set when you come across a wierd sized cutter. Plus also, you can use the ER range to hold drills very accurately as well.

I personally use the ER32 set, and haven't come across anything I cannot hold yet, and I do use some rather large cutters.

You pays your money, you takes your chance.

These first ones are all out of stock, but it shows what you should be looking for and the price range.

http://rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/ER32_SPRING_COLLET_CHUCK_SYSTEMS.html

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Collets/ER-Collets-Collet-Chucks/ER32-Collets-Collet-Chucks

But remember, some sets don't come with the collet holder, and make sure you get the right thread for your mill drawbar. If in doubt, ask the vendor for info. It only takes a quick email or phone call, and will save a lot of grief if you get the wrong one.

John
« Last Edit: February 22, 2009, 07:52:54 AM by bogstandard »

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2009, 04:08:54 AM »
John,

Thanks for the advice re ER32 collets & the links.  :bow:

I`ve just ordered a 6 collet set from Arc Euro Trade.  :thumbup:
 

Just a thought, should I post my adventures/ bumblings with the new mill?

Or, is Stew`s Sieg posting enough to be going on with?  ::)

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline sbwhart

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2009, 04:34:05 AM »
Go for it David.  :thumbup:

I'm just about ready to start my next project   :proj:    of the elbow variety.   :hammer:  :bang:  :bang:  :bang:


Have fun
 :wave:
Stew

A little bit of clearance never got in the road
 :wave:

Location:- Crewe Cheshire

bogstandard

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2009, 05:25:22 AM »
David,

As Stew says,  :poke: go for it.

Every post, even if it is about the same subject, will attract a lot of different questions and answers.

John

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2009, 09:44:15 AM »
I`ve just ordered a 6 collet set from Arc Euro Trade.  :thumbup:
 

And here it is now! :bugeye:



I`ve never had dealings with Arc before.

Quality is very good, and 25hrs delivery time is a little astounding.......  :thumbup:

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

bogstandard

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2009, 12:07:50 PM »
David,

I use Arc Euro all the time for my general cutting materials and bits of tooling, and have never had a bad word to say about their service.

RDG is the other one I mainly use, but sometimes their overnight becomes over two nights. But again the service is exemplary.

Once I find a good supplier, I tend to stick with them. The others are pi**ing against the wind to get into my good books.

BTW David, send me an email with which collets you now have, I may have a few spare collets knocking about, and might be able to fill in a couple of gaps for you.

John

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2009, 03:26:16 AM »
John,

You have incoming.......

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline NickG

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2009, 03:46:02 AM »
I got my ER 25 set off ebay sent from a company in China! Seem very good and an absolute bargain! Got a set of cheap end mills while I was on too.

I was thinking of buying one of these and a new backplate to enable the collets to be used in the lathe too:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ER-25-COLLET-CHUCK-FOR-LATHE-RECESS-MOUNT-80MM-DIA_W0QQitemZ270339552229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM?hash=item270339552229&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

What do you think?
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2009, 03:57:02 AM »

Nick,

Similar price to Arc.....

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Collets/ER-Collets-Collet-Chucks/ER25-Collets-Collet-Chucks

I have had many items from Pinvice, with no problems.....

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline NickG

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2009, 07:28:28 AM »
Thanks David,

Might be a useful addition I think. Esp as the ER collets have quite a good range, there will be a collet that can grip any size of stock, would get rid of any 3 jaw chuck inaccuracies and marks from the jaws!

Bet you can't wait to start using that mill!  :) What's the first test for it then?

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Mini Mill collet set.
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2009, 08:41:21 AM »
Nick,

Workshop life is a little stalled at the moment.  :scratch:
But, the next job is to strip off the table & crosslide, to grease the leadscrews etc.

THEN we can think about making some chippings!  :thumbup:

Might manage a posting on the subject, in the next few hours.......  ::)

David.
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!